Musa Makina
THE Africa Carbon Markets Forum (ACMF) has commended Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment for introducing a draft framework for carbon trading, a significant step in tackling climate change while promoting economic growth.
In an interview Environment Minister Sithembiso Nyoni emphasized the importance of generating carbon credits to mitigate the impacts of climate change. She revealed that the ministry is working on establishing a national portal, registry, and system to facilitate the creation of carbon credits and align Zimbabwe’s efforts with international standards.
Reacting to the announcement, ACMF CEO Anglestone Sibanda, whose organization has been at the forefront of advocating for environmental sustainability, described the move as a positive development.
“This is a very progressive move by the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife. As stakeholders in the carbon markets, we’ve long awaited clear policy direction from the government, and we are thrilled to see signs of progress,” Sibanda said.
“Having reviewed the draft carbon trading framework, it appears to be promising, though there are a few areas that need further clarification.”
Sibanda expressed his enthusiasm about the government’s growing recognition of the need for collaborative action on climate change, particularly through partnerships with the private sector and civil society. He noted that Africa has lagged behind in leveraging its natural resources—essential carbon sinks that help absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide—and that this framework could enable the continent to benefit from global carbon markets.
However, Sibanda also called for a capacity-building program to ensure widespread understanding of carbon credits. He cautioned that without adequate education, there was a risk of creating a “bubble” in the carbon trading market.
Sibanda further urged the government to implement policies that support the development of carbon credit projects, including reducing registration costs to encourage youth participation. He also highlighted the importance of creating financial incentives to attract green investment, particularly through the Ministry of Finance.
“There is a significant amount of investment needed in carbon credit projects, and we hope the ministry will create a conducive environment for this,” Sibanda said. “Fiscal policies need to attract green investment, or we risk missing out on the climate economy, which offers a critical opportunity for funding private sector initiatives aimed at climate action.”
He concluded by emphasizing the need for leadership in the climate space, stating that Zimbabwe and Southern Africa have the capacity to benefit from the emerging global climate economy, while also securing funding for local communities struggling with the effects of climate change.
